FEBRUARY A month of many faces

February-a prelude to Spring -Groundhog Day; the month for Lovers-Valentine Day; Presidents Day-a Holiday for many ;   and did you know February is National Cherry Month and Michigan supplies more than 70% of the nation's tart cherries.

And, this year-SNOW! It hasn't melted-the snow pack has been around since November-it just keeps piling up 5 more inches here last night, in the Irish Hills of Southern Michigan!

And the temperature-Hell has frozen over". That's the community south west of us, but so has the whole state.In February, 1934, Vanderbilt, a community in Otsego County, recorded a temperature of 51 degrees below zero! Thank goodness, we haven't hit that -20 below is enough for me!

Now we are going to warm up-Spring is coming and you can get out to help get rid of cabin fever. The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea is still running The Redwood Curtainwww.thepurplerose.com. Hidden Lake Gardens is having programs almost everyweekendwww.hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. And keep in mind,March 8 & 9 The Irish Hills is having a Taste of the Irish Hills with 18 restaurants participatingwww.OTIH.com.

Holidays in the Hills

The IRISH HILLS is an area in Southern Lower Michigan once settled by the Irish during the potato famine. It is an area of quaint towns, sparkling lakes, and scenic drives. This coming weekend December 6-8, is the second annual "HOLIDAYS IN THE HILLS". Hidden Lake Garden's Holiday Festival and EVENING OF LIGHTS is back this year. 2,000 luminaries light the Gardens and there is music, crafts, and refreshments.="www.hiddenlakegardens. msu.edu">. Cherry Creek Old Schoolhouse Winery will be holding their Christmas Open House Saturday 11:00-5:30 and Sunday 12:00-5:00. Another event is Michigan International Speedway's charity track drive. Donate a food item or a new unwrapped toy and take a lap around the track in your own vehicle for more information. And Oh!These Irish Hills is holding their Christmas Gala. This event is a showcase of holiday trees and decorations with a silent auction, door prizes, a choir concert, and holiday dancers, and of course-refreshments! It will be held at the Ol'Golden Nugget on US 12Friday Dec 6th-4-8, Sat 1-8, and Sun 1-4. For more information visit

St.Patrick celebration in the Irish Hills

St Patrick's Day isn't quite here, but last weekend the Brooklyn/Irish Hills area celebrated anyhow. Friday and Saturday was the first "Taste of the Irish Hills" with 18 restaurants participating, with "tastes" ranging from BarBQue to Mediterranean to Subway. To celebrate St Patrick's Day, guests at Dewey Lake Manor received a free coupon for a Shamrock Shake.
There was also a "Taste of History" held on Saturday, sponsored by the group OH These Irish Hills! This is the second year for the" History Palooza", and it was well attended again. Local people bring their historical  items-pictures, writings, memorabilia-and visitors are welcome to sit down and read the information, which many did. To learn more about this group, check their website http://www.otih.com/.